The next day proceeded like any other. A cycle of metal continued to encircle the city, flowing as its vessels. Like a giant heart, it pumped the blood of industry down its roads and upon the public transport. Tokyo continued to breath in its smoke and fumes. For it, nothing had change. Nothing will change. Nothing could change. Time slowly passed as the day turned to afternoon. Lunch had finished for most, and the rush slowly filtered away from the shops. Everything was as it should be: not a foot out of place. Even towards the outskirts, where cars were a rare sight outside of rush hour, it was as peaceful as it always has been.

Within a certain complex, one person was on a call. The events of yesterday were just memories. Bad memories, yes but easily forgotten. There were much more pressing matters to consider.

"Yeah, I'm doing well… I've got use to the school and made some friends. It's fine… Lately, I haven't had many attacks either."

Asada slumped onto her bed. It had been a long day, and all she wanted was to relax.

"Yeah. I know… Don't you catch cold either, Uncle. At winter break, I will be back. Yeah… See you later."

She hung up, dropping her phone onto the bed in the process. The A/C unit switched on with a sharp 'blip' sound. Relieved, she sighed and closed her eyes. 'Even here, my symptoms have barely improved. I started Gun Gale Online after Shinkawa suggested it to reduce the symptoms. A form of immersion therapy. But, when I'm Sinon, no attacks are triggered…'

Gently, she placed her glasses upon a wooden table, replacing it with a AmuSphere. Her AmuSphere.

"The stronger Sinon gets, stronger I will become. I'll keep fighting with my Hecate. Only if I can win the Battle of Bullets… But, I have something to do first."

Asada took a single deep breath in. "Link Start."

Hype was already starting in Gun Gale Online. The advertisements that ran across the city slowly filled with news of the Battle of Bullets. VR livestreams dotted the many cafes and gun shops. They discussed the upcoming carnage as well as recent events. On one such livestream, in a little side store filled with LEDs, the presenters had rambled on about stats of top players that had signed up. Each one made bets on who would win, while adding detailed analysis on their choices. Suddenly, they went onto questions by the viewers. Some asked about how a certain weapon should be used, and others were simple questions on certain squadrons. Generally the best squadrons were picked and how to defeat them one-on-one. However, there was one that stood out from the rest…

"Another question, it'll be the last for now folks." One of the three joyfully said, "It reads: To Phantoms; what do you think of the rumours going around about 'Death Gun'? And do you think there is a connection between him and the disappearances of XeXeeD and Tarako?"

"An interesting question dear viewer!" Another started to speak after a small gap of silence, "I've heard about those rumours. Don't take them seriously. Many like to think of the worst case scenario, and make it spread across the game. Outside of the rumours, there ain't much else. So, unless there is actual info, don't take it seriously!"

"I agree on you there," began a third, "Such a thing shouldn't deter you from playing this season's BoB! Which reminds me, there is only a few days left to sign up! Get your name down for great prizes! Don't wanna? Bet for you winner. I've seen one hundred to one bets up, take your chances people!"

"And that does it for question time! Don't forget folks we will be back at four. This is the phantoms, signing off. Happy hunting!"

The video feed was changed back to adverts of weaponry that could be bought and sold in GGO. Silence echoed throughout the shop until a few seconds later; the door opened with a creak and ring of a tiny bell. It was Sinon. She had returned to the "Gun-O-matic" store. Though she was not there to buy, only to talk. Zero X had been sitting behind the counter, looking up at the screen behind her. Now, she leapt up when she saw Sinon enter the store, alone.

"Oh? What brings you here, Sinon?"

"I came to talk," she answered bluntly, sitting at a stall beside the counter, "though the SMG is wonderful. Thank you for that…"

"Wonderful! Wonderful! What do you want to talk about?"

"I want to know more about… Sabretooth…"

Zero X walked around the counter. Then, proceeded to sit beside her. As if a switch had been flicked, she sighed deeply. For all of Zero X's happiness, it faded within an instant.

"What do you want to know about him? There are many tales."

"Depends on how much you are willing to tell me. I know he is very secretive, to the point I know barely anything about him. And well… I saw you two talking yesterday."

"Hmm… yes." Zero paused, only staring lifelessly to her right. "I guess I could give some information on him, but it would be better if he explained the details. If what I say is not enough, you go find him. He'll have most of the answers. Not all however."

"Not all? What do you mean by that?"

"He's… not one person. Two minds live within him. One seeks the best for those around him. Though shy at times, always dependable. The other, however, the different side of him only seeks revenge and vengeance to those memories that cannot be forgotten. Revengeance if you will. Together they form him, they create Sabretooth. Just not the one we remember."

Sinon was struck by this. She even had seen his 'other side' come out to play, yet was surprised to hear the words leave Zero's lips. Two minds… One body… "You knew him before? Like in the real world?"

"Oh yes, it was a blast. But maybe my mind is playing nostalgic tunes of the past. I guess that's how we all view the past, ey? We use to play a lot together, down the streets of Osaka. Yes… Us and Sears. I ain't heard from him for a while either. Every day after the school day closed, we would catch the bus home then play. Some days, it was a little game of basketball; using some old stuff we found from Sear's shed. Other days, to a small park. A large old tree sat in the middle. We use to climb it constantly, tiring us out in the process. That was until…"

Zero X sighed heavily, a tear swelled in one of her eyes. Hesitantly, she continued, "The one day I had to miss the bus home. I had to run errands that day. After that, I knew nothing of what was going to happen. Next time I heard about him, it was nothing what I had thought could happen to him. The bus, which had been in service even before we were born, had crashed. Seven were dead, including three robbers and… his little sister, didn't make it. I don't know much else, honestly. He vanished after that, never to return."

"But… He came back, right? He's still here, you chatted without problems." Zero had sparked more interest within Sinon, she wanted to know more. Sabretooth seemed… interesting. Perhaps they weren't so different, though having tragedy in your past hardly makes you the same. She had to find out more. Her thirst for knowledge still hadn't been quenched.

"I guess…" a quiet reply came from Zero X, "He is just not the same boy I played with. It is all in his mind. For me, try to save him. Save him from whatever has got into his head."

'Save him' the words seeped into her mind. 'Save him'. How could she help? Sinon had barely known him for a day, and now being pleaded to help him from one of his old childhood friends? 'It is worth a try. I can't leave him broken.'

"Where would I find him?" Sinon asked without thinking, her mouth had acted before thinking about it.

"This time of day? Probably in the firing range. Bought some new rounds, so is most likely trying them out. If you ever want to talk more, here's the address of a little workshop." She handed over a small note to Sinon, its words hidden underneath the fold.

Then, with a quick nod, Sinon jumped from her stall and made a quick dash for the door. However, before she left, she turned back. Zero X was still sitting there, looking down then at Sinon. 'Bring him back, for everyone'.

Eventually, through the crowds and LEDs, Sinon finally reached the firing range. It was just like any other building that smothered the Glocken. Only a small sign outside welcomed visitors. Many would just walk past, oblivious to its existence. The same could be said for within too; barely anyone was there. A few ranges had players test firing certain weapons at different angles and speeds but that was about it. Gunfire would lead onto long stretches of quiet clanking and chinks of ammunition echoing between the ranges.

Sinon entered the building. Such quietness was expected. Many would rather test out new weapons in the field of combat to either to great success or terrible failure. Moreover, it was a time of low player count; a weekday just after lunch, others had better things to do in the real world.

She walked past several preoccupied players testing, experimenting with many weapons. Some were simple pistols, requiring only a single hand to operate; while others used standard assault rifles, the most common weapon used in Gun Gale Online. These offered the perfect balance of: manageable recoil, accuracy and firepower. The players' accuracy varied dramatically. A few had clearly never used the weapon they held. However, only one out of the group hit the bullseye every time with quick succession. No questions. It was… Sabretooth and held in his hands, the 'Clever-Girl'.

'Don't want to bring it up suddenly… No… Will have to slowly build into it.' So, with a deep breath in and out, Sinon made her approach (small note in hand). Other players around were making their exit, it was now or never. She waited for him to load the next eight rounds in rapid succession at a target. Then, she began as he walked over to a small table to grab some rounds.

"Didn't think you would be in here, Sabre."

He turned to face her, stopping himself from refilling the gun with more ammo to fire down range before carefully placing the SPAS onto the table beside the ammo.

"I don't usually. Just testing some slugs. Great for longer distances. Ah yes, back before the virtual world took over, adding a scope would make it a powerful sniper… Something wrong?"

Sinon had attempted to hide it, but Sabretooth had starting to see through her nervous stance. "If you want to ask anything, just go ahead, I don't mind."

"I...I want to know more ." She slid the small note into a back pocket before continuing, "The actual Sabre, not the Gun Gale Online one. You've been hiding something from everyone, even Zero X. I just talked to her. She enjoyed who you were. You two use to play in Osaka, right?"

He averted his eyes away, just looking to the side. A shadow grew over the eyes, covering them completely in darkness. He had never been like this before. Nearly all things brought to his attentions were responded with kindness or complete rage, nothing like sorrow nor simple silence. Some other players passed slowly before a reply left his dry lips.

"I never wanted to hurt anyone. Peace, the thread of youth. Suddenly everything was… out of my control. What happened, and the results, I found it better to keep them away from anyone. Hidden within Pandora's box, they lay. Everyone has something to hide, it is only natural. Yet, I'm not the only one hiding deep secrets, now am I?"

Sinon took a step back, what did he mean by this? Does he know anything about her or was it just a stab in the dark?

"Sorry about that, didn't mean you scare ya," Sabretooth continued unfazed, "but I propose a deal. A simple one at that. I tell about myself only if you do too. When the time is right that is, if you wanted to. What do you say?"

"Deal is a deal." She agreed nervously, "Only when the time is right."

They shook hands. The deal was set in stone. 'Only when the time is right. Maybe by helping him, I will break my curse as well.'

"Anyhow, you tried that MP7 yet?" Sabretooth quickly swung the old conversation out of side, into a new one. His sorrow had vanished, replaced with kindness and a light twinkle of optimism trickled around him. The darkness too had faded into nothingness. "If not, you can give it a test drive."

She nodded, wielding her new SMG. It still shone just as it did when first picked off the shelf. Black on black. Sinon examined the exterior. The gun was definitely heavier than the Glock from before, larger too; yet the promised firepower should blow the problems out of the water. Slowly, she went to the range, closely followed by Sabretooth.

Three targets appeared at the far end of the target range, ready to be hit. Sinon stood in a suitable position, waiting for the bullet circle to shrink. Then, she opened fire. The bullets flew true, hitting the targets with nearly every shot. No bullseye. However, the bullets ran dry within seconds. She pulled out the magazine, replacing it with another fresh with bullets. Yet again, the bullets flew towards the targets. More hit this time. Still, it wasn't enough. Not a single bullet came close to the centre of each target. Another reload, faster this time. Fire again. Same result.

"Try to fire in bursts of three to four bullets when between fifty to two hundred metres. Only go full auto at very close range." Sabretooth stood beside Sinon, keeping a close eye on both the targets and her firing position. "It's a close range weapon, spray and pray your opponents. Accuracy isn't too important, but a headshot or through the chest would do."

She nodded. The bullet circle decreased in size again. Sinon waited. Then, opened fire as it approached the smallest it could go. Three bullets hit the target, then another four, then three flew. Each wave was followed by a quick gap, waiting for a second or so, then firing. She repeated this again and again until the bullets ran dry. Placing the MP7 down to her waste, she looked at the targets: three bullets had hit the bullseyes; every single one of them had holes dead in the centre. To her side, Sabretooth was still there. He clapped slowly, a smile stretching from ear to ear.

"You learn extremely quickly. Expected from such a talented sniper. Just a little more practice and that SMG will be formidable."

Sinon was impressed, more than Sabretooth in fact. She held the MP7 close to her. Nothing could replace the Glock, but this came very close. It responded well, didn't resist being used and easy to use. "Why don't you try with your rifle? See how well you can do."

"If you say so…"

The targets pulled back, to be replaced with new ones. He readied his G36, carefully adjusting the sights and closing an eye. A moment of silence descended. He took in a deep breath; Sinon watched closely. He pulled the trigger…

Bullets shot out, a couple at a time. All recoil vanished instantly. Cartridges dropped to the ground. Tiny spits of smoke dripped from the barrel. Soon, the magazine was empty. Sinon inspected the result. Every single bullet hit the centre of each target, not a single bullet off target.

"German engineering, truly the best in the world." Sabretooth reloaded his weapon slowly, making sure the new magazine had the right number of bullets in it, "You did well hitting the targets that accurately with such a weapon, especially a German one. Take care of it, and it will take care of you. I'm sure you would know of that with your Hecate."

She took out her Hecate and placed it gently upon a glass table behind them, as if it was a child, gently. Both sat beside the gun as Sinon rested her hands upon the barrel.

"Ever since I got the Hecate, I've depended on it in every fight I've ever got into. It has never let me down. As long as I have my Hecate, I will never give up. If I become stronger here, I will be stronger in real life too."

"That's it?" Sabretooth watched as she fiddled with the sniper rifle, testing the chambering and easiness of reloading, "I'm not sure what's happened to you previously, but a game can't solve all of your problems. It's all in the mind. Exposure helps, though with much pain. It can make you see monsters, have other voices or just switch between two personalities on the flick of a switch. Command the mind, conquer the soul."

Sinon stopped. This exposure to guns was suppose to help her overcome the fear. When she's Sinon, the fear fades. Only in the real world is happens. Why? Just because this is a game? Or, just something in the mind? No, it had to be more…

"What would you suggest then?" She looked up, from her rifle, and right into his eyes. Even with seeing them multiple times previously, the brown and green eyes never felt natural. It was an option, but one that barely any went for.

"Exposure. In the real world. Slow, and build up over time. Forcing it will never work. When the mind accepts it, then the phobia is no more. Alternatively, get some help. No matter who you are, there is always someone. From the most evil of people to walk the Earth, to the guardian angels, someone will follow."

"Then, will you help me?" The words slipped through her mouth before she could stop herself. Yet, there was nothing she could do now, the words drifted into the air, open to the world to hear.

Sabretooth merely smiled, his head tilted to the side. "Of course. You want the best? Well, here I am."

Author's notes:

Panzer_Bros:

Time for little to no action. Sometimes, words count more than action. Anyway, action will continue soon, but I thought this would be for the best. Decided to place the spotlight on Asada and Sabretooth for the time being, hopefully bridge some gaps and create some understanding. Enjoy!

Slow progress due to personal stuff. Progress should resume by end of June.